USDA Announces New Board Members to Hass Avocado Board

On November 30, 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the appointment of eight members to the Hass Avocado Board. Two producers, two producer alternates, two importers and one importer alternate were appointed to serve three-year terms expiring on October 31, 2024. An importer was appointed to fill one vacant importer alternate seat and to serve the remainder of the term which expires on October 31, 2022.

Newly appointed members and alternates are:

• James Johnson, Westlake Village, California (Producer Member)
• Marquis Vawter, Laguna Niguel, California (Producer Member)
• Byron James Talley, Arroyo Grande, California (Producer Alternate)
• Ivor Van Wingerden, Carpinteria, California (Producer Alternate)
• Aaron Hernan Acosta, Mission, Texas (Importer Member)
• Maria DeSarbo, Branford, Connecticut (Importer Member)
• Elizabeth G. Ayala, Pharr, Texas (Importer Alternate)
• Chris Henry, Escondido, California (Importer Alternate)

The Hass Avocado Board has 12 members, including seven producer members, two importer members and three producer or importer members who serve in swing seats. Each member has an alternate.

Following these appointments, at the Hass Avocado Board’s new member seating event held on December 1, 2021, HAB announced two producers and two importers have been seated to HAB’s Executive Committee.

“I am honored to continue supporting the work of HAB alongside these respected industry members seated to the executive committee,” said HAB Chairman Sal Dominguez, “We know HAB’s success truly depends on the leadership of our board members, who are all industry volunteers. We look forward to working together and supporting HAB’s vision of making fresh Hass avocados America’s most popular fruit by 2025.”

As the only independent avocado organization, HAB’s goal is to equip the entire industry for success. The executive committee will play a pivotal role in implementing HAB’s new 2021-2025 strategic plan, which includes strategies, objectives, and five-year working goals across each of five strategic priority areas:

Sustainability

Nutrition

Business Support Tools and Information

Industry Engagement and Leadership

Communications

For the industry, HAB strives to be a catalyst for action and a reason to be confident. All industry members are encouraged to register here to view timely industry updates and access tools that will help facilitate the decision-making process for their avocado business.